Policy research officer jobs in London, greater london

Job title: The Social Change Nest Financial Controller (Client Funds)

Role Purpose:

This role sits at the heart of our financial controls at the Social Change Nest and combines cash management oversight, payment operations and financial compliance. However, this is not a traditional Financial Controller position. You will work with the team to ensure robust financial controls, accurate reconciliations, secure payment processes and transparent reporting for our diverse portfolio of social impact clients. You will also be a key driver of operational improvement, identifying better ways of working as we scale.

About the Social Change Nest

The Social Change Nest (SCN) is a fiscal hosting organisation that removes the financial and administrative barriers preventing grassroots groups and informal movements from accessing funding. Since 2021, we have supported 700+ groups across the UK and internationally, helping them access over £50 million in funding for causes ranging from climate and housing to racial justice and social wellbeing. We also work closely with funders, providing Grant Distribution and Fund Management services, enabling us to support social action with confidence and transparency. We are at the forefront of fiscal hosting in the UK! 

We’re a growing business operating at pace. We’ve established a lot – but as we grow, we’re still working some things out. The right person will thrive in this environment and relish building out a future-facing finance function. You’ll enjoy problem-solving, feel comfortable handling multiple priorities at once, and seek collaborative solutions. You’ll be adaptable, able to shift focus quickly when things change, and ensure strong communication across the team and with clients to keep everything aligned. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Payment Processes & Systems Management

●Own and optimise the end-to-end payment infrastructure (banking platforms, expense management tools, Open Collective platform and accounting system integrations)

●Design, implement and monitor robust internal controls to prevent fraud, errors or unauthorised disbursements

●Streamline high-volume payment workflows while maintaining strict adherence to SCN policies

2. Bank Reconciliations & Treasury

●Ensure all client bank accounts are reconciled accurately and daily

●Investigate and resolve any variances between bank statements and the internal ledger immediately

●Track client cash positions to ensure sufficient liquidity for planned social project disbursements

3. Financial Reporting & Compliance

●Produce clear, concise financial reports for clients detailing fund movements and remaining balances

●Act as the lead contact for external audits regarding client cash and payment controls. Support the preparation of year end accounts and SCN’s external Audit as it interfaces with Client funds.

●Ensure all cash management and payment processes comply with UK Anti-Money Laundering supervision and relevant HMRC requirements

4. Operational Innovation & Client Service

●Proactively research and implement new financial technologies to enhance speed, security and transparency of client services

●Continuously evaluate existing workflows to eliminate bottlenecks and improve the client experience

●Lead the roll-out of new financial tools or system upgrades, ensuring smooth transition for internal teams and external partners

5. Leadership & Collaboration

●Line manage 1–2 members of the finance team, providing mentorship and support

●Being the point of escalation for the Finance and Delivery teams on more complex finance queries and dealing directly with our clients for financial solutions

●Contribute to finance team planning and lead on delivery of key projects

●Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders across the organisation

Skills and Experience:

Essential

• Professional accounting qualification: ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Proven experience in a Financial Controller, Head of Finance or senior audit role with a focus on cash controls and high-volume transactions
• Strong knowledge of financial governance, internal controls and compliance frameworks
• Experience in at least one of the following:

            -managing multi-currency transactions, FX impacts and global banking corridors

            -oversight of restricted funds, ensuring disbursements align with specific grant conditions and reporting requirements

            -implementing AML and KYC protocols and ensuring rigorous due diligence on all fund movements

• IT-literate and confident with leading technological change; advanced Excel skills and track record of implementing operational improvements
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — able to translate financial information clearly for non-finance stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail, and being comfortable with shifting priorities and emerging risks
• Ability to lead, manage, and work effectively both as a member of a team and on own initiative.
• Ability to think strategically, supporting the implementation of a financial strategy and suggesting appropriate changes to SCN’s services.

Desirable

• Experience in the non-profit, charity or client-services sector
• Experience in a fast-growing or start-up environment
• Understanding of power dynamics and community engagement
• Experience with innovative approaches to governance

 Location: London/Hybrid preferred – 2-3 days /week in the office

Reporting To: Finance Director

Contract: Full time, Permanent (flexible working considered)

Salary: £58,000-£60,000

Date Closes: Thursday 11th June

Right to Work in the UK required, no sponsorship available. 

About Care4Calais

Care4Calais (C4C) is a volunteer-based charity providing essential aid and support for refugees in northern France and the UK. We support through on-the-ground assistance, and advocate for a fair asylum system - including safe routes to the UK with refugee rights on arrival.

We work alongside people seeking safety to ensure access to daily essentials, and fill gaps where state support is not provided. We are here for everyone attempting to navigate the complexities of claiming asylum in the UK - providing access to justice, and practical, welcoming support. We also communicate to the public the need for action in support of refugees. Our vision is an inclusive society where people seeking safety have a safe home and a bright future free from inequality.

In northern France we operate year round from Calais, providing warm clothing, shoes, shelter, services, and assistance to refugees living in appalling conditions.

Across the UK we collect and distribute clothes and other essential items, and provide social support and interaction including language lessons, sport and music workshops. We also help with vital access to legal, medical and educational services. We are a community with the shared goals of creating a just asylum system, and a fair and welcoming society for all refugees.

Our work involves organising successful campaigns against racist UK government policies, such as the Rwanda plan and the use of barracks as accommodation for people seeking sanctuary.

All of Care4Calais' operations are supported by a small, dedicated staff team, who supervise large volunteer teams to provide critical support to asylum seekers and people on the move in both the UK and France.

About the role

The UK Operations team provides essential psychosocial support to people seeking safety through practical services; such as running distributions, delivering English classes and drop ins, as well as activities to promote wellbeing such as trips and sports activities.

The UK Field Operations Manager will be responsible for managing our operations in London, working as part of the UK Field Operations Team to support large teams of grassroots volunteers to provide essential support to people seeking safety. 

You will need to onboard and motivate volunteers through continuous engagement and support to ensure that proper safety procedures for effective  distributions and activities are in place, well communicated, and consistently applied. The performance of each region and team needs to be regularly assessed and action taken to build capacity and skills where needed. Successful Field Operations Managers will build networks with local charities, community groups and Local Authorities to help grow and develop the operations of the local Care4Calais volunteer teams. As an operation, continuous improvement through research, learning and development of practices and policies will be critical. The successful candidate for this role will be proactive and hardworking with the ability to problem-solve and prioritise effectively. The role would suit someone who is a self-starter, a strong team player and excels working in a varied role. Candidates will need strong organisational skills and must have the ability to make numerous important and compassionate decisions each day.
You will be expected to demonstrate excellent judgement, initiative, integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate with a diverse group of people. You will be part of Care4Calais’ core team in the UK and will report directly to the Chief Operations Officer. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a highly committed team dedicated to improving the lives of those seeking safety.

 Key Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

• Providing core operations support for Care4Calais’ operations in the UK (specifically London), working to build capacity and support volunteers in their activities. This includes supporting with setting up and running clothing distributions, drop-in sessions, trips and activities as well as supporting volunteers offering guidance and information to individuals.

• Working alongside a small staff team to develop processes, procedures and documentation to support the effective running of Care4Calais’ humanitarian operations. 

• Attending external meetings, building and maintaining relationships with partners and key stakeholders which allow Care4Calais’ operations to continue to run smoothly and effectively.

• Managing and supporting large teams of dedicated volunteers supporting people seeking safety.

• Being involved in ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed in your teams.

• Volunteer onboarding and induction, and continuous volunteer management.

• Develop and deliver training to volunteers.

• Regular in-person visits to the volunteer teams you manage in London. 

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience: 

• Clear leadership ability, with the capability to act with initiative and drive;

• Proven project management skills;

• Strong commitment to the rights of people seeking safety;

• Commitment to Care4Calais' values and mission, including anti-racism;

• Hands on, operational, dynamic and enthusiastic;

• Team worker with good communication and people skills;

• Self-motivated and used to managing multiple priorities to meet deadlines;

• Able to build positive relationships with a range of stakeholders including those from displaced communities, Local Authorities and other charities;

• Ability to respond to the fast-changing and dynamic nature of the UK asylum system, always prioritising the needs and desires of the communities we support;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;

• Ability to work on Google Workspace and Office 365.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience leading and managing volunteer teams from varied backgrounds

• Experience working/volunteering supporting people seeking safety 

• Experience in making grant applications/fundraising experience and managing budgets

• Proficiency in one or more of the languages spoken within asylum seeking communities, such as, but not limited to: Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Dari, Kurdish Sorani, Tigrinya or Amharic.

Please note: While day-to-day this is a remote role, you will be expected to conduct semi-regular visits to the local volunteer teams in the areas you manage (London). You must therefore be willing to travel, and you will be supported in doing so.

Applications

Please provide a short cover letter/personal statement that explains why you are suitable for this role and why you want to work for Care4Calais, and answer the short application questions.

The successful applicant will be provided with the induction and training needed for them to succeed in the role.

Please note that we receive a high number of applications and are a small internal team. If you do not receive a response in the first round, it means you have not been selected.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool, however we ask that you do not use it for this application as we want your application to be personal to you. 

Equality & Safeguarding

Care4Calais is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled candidates, and those with lived experience of the immigration system.

Care4Calais is committed to safeguarding, so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and assessments to ensure post holders demonstrate attitudes and values that align with our commitment to an organisational culture that promotes safeguarding.

Lived Experience Inclusion

We are an anti-racist organisation and a proud member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network (EBE), which aims to create a charitable sector led by individuals with lived experience of the asylum system. As part of our membership, we are dedicated to creating inclusive employment practices that recognise and accommodate the unique circumstances and strengths of people with lived experience. We actively move away from a one-size-fits-all approach, ensuring our recruitment processes are fair, supportive, and accessible.

We warmly encourage applicants with lived experience to make use of the guidance and resources available on the EBE website (ebeemployment.). In addition, applicants with lived experience are welcome to connect with the EBE support team for tailored assistance with completing the application form and, where available, one-to-one interview preparation. 

Importantly, we recognise the significant cultural, linguistic, and experiential insights that individuals with lived experience of the UK asylum system bring to this role. As such, all applicants from this background who meet the essential criteria will be automatically shortlisted and invited to interview.